Rotary internal combustion engine, and the like

ABSTRACT

An improved rotary internal combustion engine, and the like, is provided which comprises one or more closed cylinders, and which includes a rotor positioned in each cylinder which rotates eccentrically about the central axis thereof and which is eccentrically coupled to a shaft coaxial with the central axis. The rotor is also coupled to a reciprocally sliding radial vane which forces the rotor into sealing contact with the inner wall of the cylinder, so that the rotor rolls around the inner wall in sealed relationship therewith. The apparatus of the invention may be used as a vacuum pump, as a compressor, or as an internal combustion engine, the latter embodiment being shown and described herein.

Kenyon 1 Jan. 21, 1975 ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Roger C. Kenyon, 5130 Sunnyslope Ave., Sherman Oaks, Calif. 91403 [22] Filed: July 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 378,063

[52] US. Cl. l23/8.25, 418/58 [51] Int. Cl. F02b 53/08 [58] Field of Search 123/825, 8.43; 60/3961; 418/54, 58, 59, 63, 67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 904,974 11/1908 Lee 60/3961 1,116,471 ll/l9l4 Neumeyer 60/3961 X 2,715,391 8/1955 Smith 3,324,839 6/1967 Erwin..... 3,364,906 H1968 Huerta... 3,381,670 5/1968 Kincaid 3,693,600 9/1972 Nutku 60/3961 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 13,309 11/1885 Great Britain 123/843 AIR INTAKE 568,367 3/1945 Great Britain 60/3961 Primary ExaminerC1arence R. Gordon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-lessup & Beecher [57] ABSTRACT An improved rotary internal combustion engine. and the like, is provided which comprises one or more closed cylinders, and which includes a rotor positioned in each cylinder which rotates eccentrically about the central axis thereof and which is eccentrically coupled to a shaft coaxial with the central axis. The rotor is also coupled to a reciprocally sliding radial vane which forces the rotor into sealing contact with the inner wall of the cylinder, so that the rotor rolls around the inner wall in sealed relationship therewith. The apparatus of the invention may he used as a vacuum pump, as a compressor, or as an internal combustion engine, the latter embodiment being shown and described herein.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures EXHAUST MAIN $HAFT Patented Jan. 21, '1975 4 Shuts-Shoot 2 Patented Jan. 21, 1975 4 Shoots-Sheet-S AIR INTAKE l8 rllll'll IIL MAIN SHAFT Patented Jan. 21, 1975 3,861,362

4 Shuts-Sheet 4 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rotary internal combuston engines have been known for many years. However, until recently, the vast majority of the internal combustion engines in industrial use have been the reciprocating type, which operate with a multiplicity of pistons that are reciprocated by expanding gases, and which are connected to a crank shaft by appropriate connecting rods, so as to transform the reciprocatory motions of the pistons into rotary motion.

Although, as mentioned above, there are presently known engines of the rotary type, such engines, for the most part, are complex in their construction and require complicated control systems. The rotary engine of the present invention, however, as will be described, is simple and comparatively inexpensive, yet it is capable of producing high torque without the concomitant need for expensive and complex controls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the rotary engine of the invention, in accordance with one embodiment, and with the cover removed to reveal the internal operating components of the engine;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the engine of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 is a cross sectional view taken essentially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of certain operating components of the engine, including a rotor element; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are two views of an appropriate sealing ring for use in conjunction with the rotor of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises a casing 10 which forms an air shroud around a pair of closed annular cylinders 12 and 14. The cylinders themselves are surrounded by a series of peripheral cooling fins 16. The casing 10 defines an air intake member 18 adjacent the cylinder 12, and it defines an exhaust member 20 adjacent the cylinder 14. Air drawn in through the air intake 18 is passed around the cylinder 12 and around the cylinder 14 to be exhausted through the exhaust member 20. A portion of the intake air enters the cylinder 12 through a port 22 the resulting air in the cylinder 12 is compressed by an eccentric rotor 24 and the compressed air is introduced to a combustion chamber 26 through a rotating valve member 28.

The appropriate fuel is also introduced into the combustion chamber 26 by usual means (not shown), and

the resulting air-fuel mixture may be ignited by means two cylinders 12 and 14. The sliding vane includes a pair of shoes 42 and 44 which are coupled to its ends through appropriate universal joints. The shoes bear against the external surfaces of the respective rotors 24 and 32, and cause the rotors mutually to bias each other into rolling contact with the inner peripheral surface of the respective cylinders 12 and 14, and into sealing engagement with the surfaces.

A disc-like member 50 is mounted within the rotor 24 on a shaft 52 in coaxial relationship with the central axis of the shaft. The rotor 24 is eccentrically coupled to the member 50 through a pin 54. Rotation of the shaft 52 causes the rotor 24 to rotate eccentrically around the cylinder 12 to compress the air introduced into the cylinder through the port 22, and to discharge the compressed air into the combustion chamber 26 through the rotary valve 28 at the proper time. Likewise, the rotor 32 is coupled to a main drive shaft 60 through an eccentric coupling member 62 which is coaxially mounted on the main drive shaft. The rotor is coupled to the member 62 through a pin 64 extending along the central axis of the rotor and eccentrically coupled to the member 62.

The expanding gases from the combustion chamber 26 cause the rotor 60 to roll around the inner surface of the cylinder 14 and to impart rotation to the main drive shaft 60. The shaft 60 is also coupled to the shaft 52 through a series of gears 62, 64 and 66 which, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, are intermeshed with one another. The gear 64 is an idler gear mounted on a stub shaft 68. The rotary valve 28 is driven through appropriate cams, for proper timing of the rotary valve. As also shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, two combustion chambers 26 may be provided, with two spark plugs 30 for each chamber. Of course ignition may be achieved by other means, such as a glow plug, or by pressure as in a diesel cycle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rotor 24 may have the illustrated configuration, and the rotor 32 may have the same configuration. The shaft 52, as illustrated, is supported in the wall of the cylinder 12 in an appropriate bearing 80, and the main shaft 60 may be similarly supported. The edges of the rotors, such as the rotor 24 in FIG. 4 are equipped with sealing rings having a triangular cross section as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. These rings have appropriate waffle springs resiliently biasing the ring so as to form an effective seal between the rotor edges.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exhaust venturi horn 38 directs the exhaust discharge from the cylinder 14 around the cylinder 14 and out the exhaust member 20. The venturi effect of the horn 38, together with natural aspiration, produces a flow of fresh, cool air around the compressor cylinder 12, maintaining the volumetric efficiency of the compressor at a relatively high level. The air that does not pass into the compressor intake is mixed with the exhaust gases, and serves to cool the cylinder 14. However, it is intended that the temperature of the power side of the engine, that is of the cylinder 14, be maintained as high as practicable in order to maintain high temperatures and correlated high pressures of the expanding gases during the power cycle of the engine with the cylinder 14.

As mentioned above, the compressor section of the engine compresses the air charge into the combustion chamber 26, which is equipped with rotary valves, such as the valve 28 which close the chamber to intake,

hold, or discharge into the power side of the engine at the proper times. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, as mentioned, and ignition is accomplished in the chamber so that the resulting high pressure gases may be ported into the power cylinder 14 where the expanding pressure forces the rotor 32 to rotate eccentrically around the inner surface of the cylinder 14 so as to produce usable power through the main shaft 60. Two combustion chambers are preferably provided, as shown by the plan view of FIG. 2, because one combustion chamber cannot conveniently be held open long enough for either intake or expansion, due to the extremely long expansion cycle of the engine of over 300.

The reciprocally sliding vane 40 provides the pressure which maintains the eccentric rotors 24 and 32 firmly against the inner surfaces of the respective cylinders l2 and 14. The vane 40 includes an internal horizontal expansion ring 41 which bears against the shoes 42 and 44 to hold the shoes in contact with the rotor 32 at one end and with the rotor 24 at the other end of the sliding vane. The vane 40 slides between the two cylinders 12 and 14 in a manner similar to a movable cylinder head, and is guided by appropriate guides 43 mounted in the casing. The guides 43 may be formed, for example, of Lubrite, as may the shoes 42 and 44. The vane is also equipped with cross axis rings 45 to assure sealing.

As mentioned above, the rotors 24 and 32 are in reality rollers, which turn about the inner peripheral surfaces of the respective cylinders 12 and 14. The rotor 32 is coupled through the eccentric 62 to the mainshaft 60, so that as the rotor 32 rotates, it imparts a torque to the main shaft. The main shaft is coupled through the gears 62, 64 and 66 to the shaft 52, so that the compressor action of the engine is driven, to enable the rotor 24 to compress the air introduced to the combustion chamber 26.

For maximum efficiency, it has been found that the two rotors 24 and 32 should rotate in the same direction, this being achieved by means of the idler gear 64 on the stub shaft 68. It is also important that the rotors be initially set as a particular definite angular relationship with respect to one another in order that the length of the vane 40 may be essentially constant. For this purpose, the power rotor 32 is advanced 30 with respect to the compressor rotor 24.

It is to be understood that air cooling, such as shown in the illustrated embodiment may or may not be used. Liquid cooling, or a combination of air and liquid cooling, may be employed if desired. No cooling at all may be desirable under certain circumstances, when satisfactory high temperature materials are used. The venturi 38, as shown in the illustrated embodiment is not absolutely essential to the proper operation of the engine. Although rotary valves in combustion chambers are shown and described, other combustion means may be used. Fuel may be injected into the engine, or carbureted into the air intake, or the fuel may be injected into the combustion chambers, or into the power cylinder cycle.

The construction of the reciprocally sliding vane 40 may be varied. For example, the vane may be pivoted in the center guides with no pivot action in the shoes. The vane may be placed on the center line, or above or below the center line. Although the guide and shoes are specified as being formed of Lubrite, any appropriate self-lubricating material may be used, or antifriction bearings may be employed. The rotors 24 and 32 may be pinned to the eccentrics 50 and 62 as shown, or they may be pinned to an end plate, or other variations may be used.

Pre-loading of the rotors against the inner cylinder wall can be accomplished by a variety of mechanical means, and also by hydraulic pressure. The sealing system for the rotor may employ a wide variety of rings or springs, or other means may be used.

In general, although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover the modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. A rotary mechanism including: a casing defining a first annular cylinder; a first shaft extending coaxially with the central axis of said first annular cylinder and rotatably supported therein; a first disc-like member mounted on said shaft coaxially with the axis of rotation thereof and keyed thereto; a first pin coupled to said first disc-like member and extending along an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of said first shaft; a first roller-like rotor rotatably mounted on said first pin in coaxial relationship therewith and positioned within said first cylinder for eccentric movement around said first cylinder in rolling contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof; and a slide member mounted in said casing and positioned radially with respect to said central axis of said first cylinder and engaging said rotor for biasing said rotor against said inner surface of said first cylinder in sealing relationship with said inner surface. 7

2. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 1, in which said casing defines a second annular cylinder; and which includes a second shaft extending coaxially with the central axis of said second annular cylinder and rotatably supported therein; a second disc-like member mounted on said second shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation thereof and keyed thereto; a second pin coupled to said second disc-like member and extending along an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of said second shaft; a second roller-like rotor rotatably mounted on said second pin in coaxial relationship therewith and positioned within said second cylinder for eccentric movement around said second cylinder in rolling contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof, and means coupling said second rotor to said slide to cause said slide to bias said second rotor against said inner surface of said second cylinder in sealing relationship therewith.

3. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 2, and which includes air intake means mounted on said casing for introducing air into said second cylinder to be compressed by said second rotor; a combustion chamber mounted in said casing between said first and second cylinders for receiving compressed air from said second cylinder and for introducing expanding gases to said first cylinder; rotary valve means selectively intercoupling said combustion chamber and said first and second cylinders; and firt exhaust means for removing the gases from the first cylinder.

4. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 3, and which includes gear means intercoupling said first and second shafts and said rotary valve means.

6. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 5, in which said first exhaust means is in the form of a venturi.

7. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 1, and which includes means for exerting a pre-loaded pressure on said rotor to force the rotor into a tight sealing contact with said inner surface. 

1. A rotary mechanism including: a casing defining a first annular cylinder; a first shaft extending coaxially with the central axis of said first annular cylinder and rotatably supported therein; a first disc-like member mounted on said shaft coaxially with the axis of rotation thereof and keyed thereto; a first pin coupled to said first disc-like member and extending along an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of said first shaft; a first roller-like rotor rotatably mounted on said first pin in coaxial relationship therewith and positioned within said first cylinder for eccentric movement around said first cylinder in rolling contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof; and a slide member mounted in said casing and positioned radially with respect to said central axis of said first cylinder and engaging said rotor for biasing said rotor against said inner surface of said first cylinder in sealing relationship with said inner surface.
 2. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 1, in which said casing defines a second annular cylinder; and which includes a second shaft extending coaxially with the central axis of said second annular cylinder and rotatably supported therein; a second disc-like member mounted on said second shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation thereof and keyed thereto; a second pin coupled to said second disc-like member and extending along an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of said second shaft; a second roller-like rotor rotatably mounted on said second pin in coaxial relationship therewith and positioned within said second cylinder for eccentric movement around said second cylinder in rolling contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof, and means coupling said second rotor to said slide to cause said slide to bias said second rotor against said inner surface of said second cylinder in sealing relationship therewith.
 3. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 2, and which includes air intake means mounted on said casing for introducing air into said second cylinder to be compressed by said second rotor; a combustion chamber mounted in said casing between said first and second cylinders for receiving compressed air from said second cylinder and for introducing expanding gases to said first cylinder; rotary valve means selectively intercoupling said combustion chamber and said first and second cylinders; and firt exhaust means for removing the gases from the first cylinder.
 4. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 3, and which includes gear means intercoupling said first and second shafts and said rotary valve means.
 5. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 3, and which includes a second exhaust means mounted on said casing, and in which said casing defines a duct directing air from the air intake means around the first and second cylinders, and exhaust gases from said first exhaust means around said second cylinder to said second exhaust means.
 6. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 5, in which said first exhaust means is in the form of a venturi.
 7. The rotary mechanism defined in claim 1, and which includes means for exerting a pre-loaded pressure on said rotor to force the rotor into a tight sealing contact with said inner surface. 